Giants want more 'dirty runs' from Saquon Barkley | What happens to his numbers without the home runs

No, the Giants coach is not talking about his rookie running back delivering cheap shots. Sportsmanship is part of what makes Barkley the total marketing package, in addition to his on-field talent.

So what does he mean?

Shurmur wants Barkley to be more accepting of the between-the-tackles short gain, rather than looking to hit a home run on every rush. Now that Barkley is getting more carries -- he had a season-high 20 last week, his first time over 15 since Week 3 -- maybe it will be easier to not feel like every one is do or die.

"It's the judgment and the vision of the ball carrier. Like anything, he's getting used to it. He's a rookie, and he's certainly done a great job for us, but there's still a lot to be learned. As he runs the ball more and more and more, he'll get a feel for when it's right to bounce it and right to stick it up in there."

Barkley is tied for third in the NFL with seven carries of 20 yards or more, one fewer than the 49ers' Matt Breida and the Steelers' James Conner. He tied for the lead with three carries of 40 yards or more.

"That's the growing pains, I guess, I got to just continue to grow through and continue to get better at," Barkley said. "You go back and you watch film. If my shoulders were a little this way, I probably would've made this cut. If they were this way, I probably would've made that cut. I want to be perfect."

On the other hand, Barkley seems like a better fit for the Giants than a grinding cloud-of-dust back because it is unlikely this offensive line consistently could block holes for that runner.

Barkley's ability to make something out of nothing is important for an offense ranked No. 26 in points per game. He says he is not overly thinking about taking every carry to the end zone.

"It is tempting, but the way I've been trying to play is take what the defense gives you," Barkley said. "When you get a chance, try to make them pay for it. I just got to continue to trust the system, trust the team, trust the offensive line and trust myself."

"There might have been one or two that maybe he could've continued to kind of push it up the middle instead of cutting back," offensive coordinator Mike Shula said, "but the minute you say, 'Hey, hit it up in there,' then all of a sudden he cuts one back for 25 yards and then you say, 'Hey, great run.'

"I think he's going to continue to feel more comfortable with what he's doing with more reps, and the good news (against the 49ers) was that we were able to make some first downs, stayed out of second- and long and third-and-long and stayed on the field and gave him more carries."